McGeeney hits out at ‘idiots’

WHEN it was all done, Kieran McGeeney gathered his Kildare players on the pitch for one last stirring oration. It lasted a minute or so before he broke off and departed for the tunnel, swatting tears from his eyes.

A two-point defeat, having witnessed his side slam a shot off the crossbar in the last action of the game, was about as cruel as it gets.

Then, of course, there was ‘that’ goal, Benny Coulter’s 13th minute strike for Down.

Everyone at Croke Park, including Coulter, accepted there was a square ball infringement but still Pat McEnaney’s umpires were unable to make the right call.

McGeeney, understandably, was furious.

“Sure what do you say, you know, we had to spend the last two weeks being told that Aidan O’Rourke crossed the sideline 22 or 23 times,” said McGeeney.

“They were on about marginal calls, about whether he was on the field, whether the ball was in play, or whether it wasn’t. You have a fella who watches that.

“And they can’t tell whether a ball goes over the bar or they can’t tell whether it was a square ball. Idiots. But that’s administration at its best.”

It may have been written in the stars that it wasn’t to be Kildare’s day.

Dermot Earley’s injured knee didn’t stand up to a pre-match fitness test and their other first choice midfielder, Daryl Flynn, was taken off with a neck injury after 30 minutes.

Back in open play they hit the woodwork twice and took issue with up to 1-2 of Down’s haul, in particular Coulter’s goal.

“It’s tough as sportsmen when you throw everything into it,” said McGeeney.

“Defeat isn’t an option. When it comes you haven’t prepared for it.

“To put your heart and soul into something like that and see it ripped away from you, it’s tough, I know what it feels like. I’ve been there and done it.

“They’re good lads, good athletes and defeat is not a measure of who you are, just because it tipped one way in the last couple of minutes. They must always remember that.”

Armagh legend McGeeney praised the strong performance of Down which he claimed made it doubly difficult for Kildare on the day.

“Down were outstanding today and we can’t take that away from them,” he said. “They were very mobile, very quick. I thought we matched them most of the time.

“At different times they had purple patches. We had purple patches. We hit the post a couple of times and stuff like that. It’s just hard to take.

“It’s gut wrenching for the boys. How ever I feel, and there’s a huge hole to fill, I just can’t imagine what it’s like for the boys in there who put their heart and soul into it.

“You’d think at seven points down fellas would throw in the towel but they didn’t. They just kept coming back and back. Unlucky, you know, but that’s sport. Isn’t that why we all play it?”

Given Earley’s injury difficulties and his advancing years he’ll naturally be tipped for retirement.

McGeeney said he’ll also review his own position after three seasons of relative progression.

“I do have to sit down and think about that,” admitted the 2002 All-Ireland winning captain. “Things like that are difficult. Me and administrators don’t always see eye to eye. I love to be around fellas who want to perform and want to give it their all.

“I’ve played, I think, in one of the great teams of Gaelic football (Armagh). We mightn’t have always showed that with cups but they were a great bunch of lads.

“I would have to say that this bunch is right up there with them for dedication and commitment. I’d do anything for any of them.

“We’ll have to sit back and measure up things.”